Swirling and Sipping in Style: 7 Homes With Their Own Wine Caves

To help comfort you on a frigid winter night, or bring a “wow” factor to your backyard barbecue, imagine emerging with a special bottle of wine from your very own wine cave.

These seven Western properties, from Scottsdale to Sonoma, are designer examples of putting wine in its proper place. Within these temperature-controlled walls—wine should ideally be stored between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit—are sweet spots to store your wine until it’s time to uncork a bottle.

But a wine cave can also double as an event space for all your home entertaining needs. Cheers to that!

9889 E. Honey Mesquite Dr, Scottsdale, AZ

Price: $1,995,000
What’s a good match-up with wine? How about a home theater? That’s the idea behind this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home where leather burgundy chairs (reclining, natch) and a chandelier bring man cave to wine cave.
Perfect pairing: A macho Napa cabernet sauvignon and “Die Hard” for movie night.

Scottsdale, AZ

2286 Decade Ct, Riverside, CA

Price: $1.3 million
There are quite a few places to enjoy wine procured from the temperature-controlled wine cave—note its cheery red walls—in this four-bedroom, five-bathroom home: by the infinity pool, in the rotunda living room, or in front of the fireplace in the master suite. Pair the wine with whatever you whip up in the chef’s kitchen, complete with warming drawer and five-burner stove.
Perfect pairing: Stave off a hot day by the pool with a glass of crisp sauvignon blanc.

Riverside, CA

3673 Butterfly Ln, Placerville, CA

Price: $799,000
About as cool as the “mini vineyard” on the 9.91-acre property is the wine cave in the three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom contemporary home. The 1,000-square-foot cave skews Old World, with its ivy covering and curved wood doors. Though long and narrow inside, there’s plenty of space to store cases of your favorite vintage and perhaps even the wine you make.
Perfect pairing: A Bordeaux red to match the cave’s Old World atmosphere.

Placerville, CA

18595 Lomita Ln, Sonoma, CA

Price: $12 million
Close to town (the Sonoma plaza is just 2 miles away) yet private, this five-bedroom estate has all the wine country goods: a saltwater pool, a syrah vineyard, a kitchen with Viking appliances and Vermont soapstone counters, a barn, and, of course, a wine cave. Sip some wine while you play on the bocce court, or host dinners in the wine cave.
Perfect pairing: Try some zins, which are crafted just up the road—it’s a great way to support your neighborhood.

Sonoma, CA

6420 Harbor Lights Ln, Avila Beach, CA

Price: $2.39 million
San Luis Obispo is an emerging wine country destination along the Central Coast. This four-bedroom, French Country–style estate features a wine cave and a chef’s kitchen. The temperature-controlled wine cave holds 650 bottles and a full dining set.
Perfect pairing: Pinot noir from a local winery and Santa Maria–style barbecue.

Avila Beach, CA

300 Alta Loma Dr, Angwin, CA

Price: $1.9 million
The design of this three-bedroom Napa Valley home mimics the French countryside. It features a limestone wood-burning fireplace, handcarved antique doors, a courtyard, a garden studio, a guest cottage, and a wine cave. The property spans 2 acres, which means there are plenty of alfresco spots to sip wine.
Perfect pairing: Champagne, naturally.

Angwin, CA

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3380 Hidden Valley Ln, Fairfield, CA

Price: $1.3 million
Tucked in a gated community, this Spanish Mediterranean–style home (with three bedrooms and seven bathrooms) boasts not just a wine cave but also an outdoor pool, a wraparound balcony, a waterfall, and a rock fireplace. Bonus: The cave is big enough to house a small group for dinner. Constructed entirely of brick, the cave has built-in shelving.
Perfect pairing: In keeping with the home’s Mediterranean style, try grillo, a white wine from Sicily.

Fairfield, CA

Article and images sourced from http://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/seven-homes-with-wine-caves/

Ready, Set, Run: 4 Excellent Long-Distance Running Routes in San Francisco

Try our 6-mile Golden Run and wind up taking in the mad view from Fort Point. (Courtesy of Surfline.com)

Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kanter, himself an SF native, said, "San Francisco is 49 miles surrounded by reality.” Why not take in some of those culturally steeped miles at a comfortable jog? Here are four great routes for running in paradise. 

The Golden Run (6 miles)
Strap on your favorite sneaks and hit the pavement—you'll soon see why we like to call this route the Golden Run: It's easily accessible, serene, and scenic beyond belief—think skyscrapers of age-old bark, oceanfronts, and man made marvels. Consider taking out your earbuds to take in the sounds as well as the sites (which include the free-of-charge museum at Fort Point, once used as a masonry to protect the bay from incoming warships).

 The Details:

• Start at Julius Kahn Park, just off W. Pacific Ave. You can parallel park across the street.
• Running along W. Pacific Ave., you’ll find a pathway onto Ecology Trail, just before Arguello Blvd. Stay your course about one-half-mile until you come to Moraga Ave.
• Take Moraga Ave. to Infantry Terrace, which merges into Sheridan Ave. after a quarter-mile. Keep on Sheridan until it becomes Patten Rd.
• Take a left at the intersection of Patten and McDowell Ave. toward Old Mason St. (You’ll hit a bit of construction as you approach the 101, so hug the sidewalks.)
• Keep on Old Mason St. until it becomes the San Francisco Bay Trail / Marine Drive. You will soon find yourself at the foots of Fort Point.
• Take a breath and enjoy the views of the bay. Now, turn it back around to complete your nearly 6-mile loop.

Editor's tips:

• Due to the mildly hilly nature of this route, do some calf and quad stretches prior to setting off. You'll thank yourself later.
• Get an early morning start to beat the traffic in and out of Presidio, and even take advantage of the seaside sunrise at Fort Point. To extend your mileage, try exploring the outer stretches of the Ecology Trail.

(Photo courtesy of Etsy Ketsy)

Molehills to Mountains (2 miles)
Oh, the high-incline workout—mentally and physically trying, and essential to any runner’s regimen. That feeling of having charged up a hill like a gazelle...it leaves one breathless! Cruise over to Twin Peaks and conquer the mountain. It'll be brutal on your glutes, but a picturesque panorama at the summit is an Instagram-worthy reward.

The Details:

• Park your car near the public restrooms. Lace up, and take a gargantuan gulp of Gatorade.
• This is a there-and-back circuit, so you’d be hard-pressed to get lost. Just hug the far shoulder of Twin Peaks Blvd. for roughly three-quarters of a mile.
• Stop at the intersection of Midcrest Way and Panorma Drive, also known as Creek to Peak. Turn around, and head back up the paved rollercoaster.
• If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, you can run down—or up, if you’re heading back—the unmarketed dirt trails that cut off of Twin Peaks Blvd.

Editor's tips:

• Focus on calf and inner-thigh stretches prior to taking off to avoid too much strain on your quads and calf muscles.
• Bring plenty of water or sports drink—this is an incredibly testing run.
• Look out for uneven ground where the pavement meets the dirt.
• Go early morning or just around sunset for prime hilltop views.
• Enjoy your well-deserved Odwalla bar from one of the free viewing stations. 

Skyline Meets Coastline (2+ miles)
A simple and lovely city run, this two-plus-mile loop is both low in elevation and conveniently located near some great after-run treat shops. Plus, there's ample parking. Be sure to stop for a hot minute to catch your breath at China Basin Park, and bring your pup for playtime at Mission Bay Dog Park.

The Details:

• Beginning at Mission Creek Garden, take the trail leading out of the recreational area and follow it until you hit Fouth St.
• Veer left back onto Channel St.
• Turn left onto Third St. and cross the awesome drawbridge.
• Turn right onto the wide, paved trail where; follow this for the better part of a mile.
• Snake through the trail at The Mission Bay Dog Park (on your lefthand side on Berry St.).
• Keep on the trail, passing under Highway 280, and find yourself back at Mission Creek Garden.

Editor's Tips:

• Practice being conscious of your breathing patterns while on this run. No headphones. 
• At 2.25 miles, this is a great route for doing looping/time-trial paces. 
• Take this route in the evening hours to ensure easy parking and sunset sky over the waterfront.

(Courtesy of Miguel Vaca)

The Green Three (3 miles)
A treadmill has nothing on a path charted through the trees and flowers of Golden Gate Park. The Green Three, as we call it, is a breathtaking run for both the novice and well-seasoned athlete. Combing through what is arguably some of SF's most luscious landscape, runners will be treated to a kaleidoscope of scents and scenery. Look out for yellow warblers and well-meaning garter snakes basking in the sun.

The Details:

• Starting at the Conservatory of Flowers, you’ll veer onto the sidewalk toward Stow Lake.
• Cross the pedestrian strip, and follow the lake’s shore till you find yourself at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 
• Take a sharp left just before MLK hits Lincoln Way, and keep along the trail you see out of your periphery.
• Follow the crunch of leaves beneath your deliberate feet toward Nancy Pelosi Dr., eventually passing the National Aids Memorial Grove.
• Cross the street to your four-wheeled salvation. It’s a breeze, really.

Editor's Tips:

• Try some core strengthening exercises after your run to improve stamina and the integrity of your running posture.
  
• At  3 miles and change, this is a fantastic route to see how well you’d fair running a 5K. 
• Run this route on the weekend when you can fully take advantage of the area. Afterward, stop in and breathe the moist air at the Conservatory of Flowers.

A San Francisco Super Bowl Experience, With or Without a Ticket (according to the New York Times)

The heart of the Super Bowl activity will take place in San Francisco, about an hour’s drive from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where the game will be held on Feb. 7.

Attending the Super Bowl in person is a bucket-list item for sports fans that seems to get more out of reach every year.

Last season, game tickets on the secondary market at one point reached an astounding average of $10,000 per seat, according to TiqIQ, which tracks ticket trends. Because there are only so many radio contests to go around, many fans who want to be a part of Super Bowl 50 in the San Francisco Bay Area will need other options.

Luckily for them, the N.F.L. has turned the Super Bowl into a weeklong affair, organizing happenings in and around the host city that appeal directly to football fans, as well as the nonfans who are tagging along, including dining events and free concerts.

The heart of the official Super Bowl activity will take place in downtown San Francisco, about an hour’s drive from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers and Super Bowl 50.

If you’re planning to be in the Bay Area in the days leading up to the game on Feb. 7, it also helps to seek the advice of an insider.

Benjamin Hoffman is one: He is a Brooklynite who grew up in the East Bay and is preparing to cover his seventh Super Bowl for The New York Times.

“It’s always interesting, every year, to see what the N.F.L. puts together in each city,” Mr. Hoffman said. “They always have some kind of hook. Sometimes it’s effective, sometimes not.”

This year, Super Bowl organizers are playing up the region’s reputation as a center for technology and innovation, with Keith Bruce, chief executive of the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee, promising the “the most interactive fan experience ever.”

Super Bowl City, which will offer free activities to the general public, will be set up at the base of Market Street, near the waterfront, and will run Jan. 30 through Feb. 7. The centerpiece is what organizers are calling the Fan Energy Zone, which will include the 40-foot-tall Fan Dome, which allows those interested to play interactive games as digital avatars that display on giant screens.

Those seeking more football-focused fun can check out the annual N.F.L. Experience, which is an N.F.L.-themed playland, with games, autograph sessions with players, youth football clinics and memorabilia displays. It will be open Jan. 30 through Feb. 7 and will be held at Moscone Center North and South in San Francisco. Tickets are $25 for children 12 and under, and $35 for adults.

“If I lived in the Bay Area and this came to town, I’d go to it,” Mr. Hoffman said. “It’s silly, and ridiculous, but also pretty fun.”

If you’re not that into the football, there’s always the food.

Mr. Hoffman said that he is looking forward to one thing in particular.

“I haven’t had a good burrito in 12 years,” he said.

There very well may be one at the Taste of the N.F.L., which provides attendees the opportunity to sample food of notable chefs from around the country and to mingle with current and former N.F.L. players. The 25th edition takes place on Feb. 6 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

This experience does come at a price ($700), but all proceeds go to food banks located in the 32 cities that are home to N.F.L. teams, and you will also be treated to a concert by the rock group Third Eye Blind.

“They get the best local chefs from the big restaurants to do their signature thing,” Mr. Hoffman said. “The problem for us vegetarians is that almost every chef’s signature dish is a meat dish.”

Thankfully, vegetarians will have no trouble finding other, and much more affordable, options in the Bay Area. For a lower-key and classic San Francisco dining experience, Mr. Hoffman recommends El Farolito in the Mission District.

“It’s almost clichéd to say it’s ‘the burrito place,’ but it really is ‘the burrito place’ for a reason,” Mr. Hoffman said, but also added, “if you find any taqueria in the Mission you’re doing well.”

If you’ve never been to the area and want to hit several of the key tourist destinations, consider buying a Go San Francisco Card, which is a customizable, all-inclusive pass to some the area’s top museums and tours, including a cruise around the Golden Gate Bridge.

And infrequent visitors should take care to pack appropriate clothing. Just because it’s California does not mean it’s always warm and sunny.

“There’s a certain rite of passage of going to San Francisco as a tourist, or even a local who lives outside of the city, of every time you go, you have to buy something to keep you warmer,” Mr. Hoffman said. “There’s a whole thriving tourist economy based on hooded sweatshirts.”

Article and images sourced from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/travel/san-francisco-super-bowl-50.html?_r=3

Pacific Union Newsletter, 2015 Q4

	Properties for Sale Neighborhood Data Pacific Union Blog Mindy Henderson Luxury Property Specialist THE MARKET IN UNDER A MINUTE San Francisco Q4 Market Pulse Video Get a high-level look at what’s happening and what to expect in this insightful report into the San Francisco real estate market. Watch the Video NEIGHBORHOOD DATA Stay Current With the Latest Neighborhood Data & Stats San Francisco: Q4 Results San Francisco has been a seller’s market for several years now, but by the fourth quarter of 2015, the landscape had slightly shifted in the direction of a more balanced market – for both condominiums and single-family homes. Sales prices kept rising, to be sure, but not at the pace of past quarters. And while many homes still commanded multiple offers, overbids have also slowed. Available homes stayed on the market a bit longer than in previous quarters before going into escrow. December closed out a very strong quarter, though the third quarter was stronger. But this may be the most surprising fact: More than a few San Francisco homes sold for below their asking prices in the fourth quarter – a phenomenon virtually unheard of at the start of 2015. The inventory of available homes remained tight, but we saw signs that owners are gradually more willing to put their homes on the market. Looking Forward: San Francisco remains an exceptionally desirable market with a booming regional economy – two factors that ensure strong real estate activity in the months ahead. El Niño storms could delay some sales, but only briefly, and interest rates are forecast to remain exceptionally low far into 2016. Median Sales Price The median sales price represents the midpoint in the range of all prices paid. It indicates that half the prices paid were higher than this number, and half were lower. It is not the same measure as “average” sales price. Single-Family Homes – Median Sales Price Click to view larger chart Condominiums – Median Sales Price Click to view larger chart Months’ Supply of Inventory The months’ supply of inventory is a measure of how quickly the current supply of homes would be sold at the current sales rate, assuming no more homes came on the market. In general, an MSI below 4 is considered a seller’s market; between 4 and 6 is a balanced market; and above 6 is a buyer’s market. Single-Family Homes – Months’ Supply of Inventory Click to view larger chart Condominiums – Months’ Supply of Inventory Click to view larger chart Average Days on the Market Average days on the market is a measure that indicates the pace of sales activity. It tracks, on average, the number of days a listing is active until it reaches “pending” status, meaning all contingencies have been removed and both parties are just waiting to close. Single-Family Homes – Average Days on the Market Click to view larger chart Condominiums – Average Days on the Market Click to view larger chart Percentage of Properties Under Contract Percentage of properties under contract is a forward-looking indicator of sales activity. It tracks expected home sales before the paperwork is completed and the sale actually closes. Single-Family Homes – Percentage of Properties Under Contract Click to view larger chart Condominiums – Percentage of Properties Under Contract Click to view larger chart Sales Price as a Percentage of Original Price Measuring the sales price as a percentage of the final list price, which may include price reductions from the original list price, determines the success of a seller in receiving the hoped-for sales amount. It also indicates the level of sales activity in a region. Single-Family Homes – Sales Price as a Percentage of Original Price Click to view larger chart Condominiums – Sales Price as a Percentage of Original Price Click to view larger chart Delving into San Francisco’s Districts Click to view larger chart Click to view larger chart Click to view larger chart Click to view larger chart FEATURE STORY San Francisco County Housing and Economic Forecast Through 2018 SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY (SAN FRANCISCO MSA) The movement of tech/software firms into the city attracting urban-oriented workers and the ongoing activity of overseas investors looking for opportunity have pushed San Francisco’s home prices ever higher. Though San Francisco will always be one of the most desirable, and thus one of the most expensive, places to live in the world, any substantial slowdown in the tech sector would have an almost immediate negative impact on prices. Economy Great Job Growth: San Francisco County has long been the financial center of Northern California, but is now also a tech/software hub. It is the most concentrated jobs node in the Bay Area with nearly 640,000 employed and over 86,000 net new jobs added over the last three years (2012-14). We project continued solid job increases through 2017, albeit at slower rates of growth. High Pay Growth: For the San Francisco MSA as a whole (San Mateo, San Francisco, and Marin Counties), the higher paying sectors – finance, information, and professional and business services – are key and have experienced tremendous growth over the last three years. These sectors added over 68,500 jobs MSA-wide from 2011-2014. Highly Employed Population: Only 3.2 percent of the labor pool cannot find a suitable job. Affluence: San Francisco County is very affluent, evidenced by its 2014 median household income of $80,200, though wealth disparities remain. Wage growth has been strong since 2012 and is projected to remain on an upward trend through 2018. Click to view a larger chart Demographics Steady Growth Ahead: San Francisco County is approaching a population of 863,000 and has over 362,000 households. Recent growth has been fairly strong for such a small and mature market, and is expected to grow steadily over the next few years. By the Numbers: Growth projections translate into 8,500 to 10,000 new residents annually in San Francisco County, or about 4,500 to 4,900 new households each year. Household sizes are typically smaller than the norm in more suburban areas. Click to view a larger chart Housing Market Prices Strong Then Slower: Our Burns Home Value Index (BHVI) estimates price appreciation for the entire resale market. Currently, the BHVI for the San Francisco MSA is up 6.9 percent over the last year. We expect appreciation to slow in coming years, particularly by about 2018. Consistent Resale Volumes: There have been over 5,500 resales in San Francisco County over the last 12 months. At the MSA level, we forecast annual sales growth of 1-2 percent in 2016 and 2017. Investors Still Here: San Francisco MSA investor activity has gradually receded, but remains at about 21 percent, down from a high of over 24 percent in early 2013. While never reaching as high a market share as in more outlying parts of the region, investors still represent a healthy part of the market. Much of this is in the form of overseas money, most notably from China. Affordability Decreasing: Though mortgage rates remain historically low, the San Francisco MSA’s current affordability level is considerably worse than its long-term norm. Within San Francisco County, a household earning the median income would need to pay 87 percent of their income to buy a median-priced resale home and 80 percent for a median-priced new home (the discrepancy due to far higher densities in the new-home environment). Thus thousands of people working in San Francisco live elsewhere or rent. New Homes Difficult to Find: San Francisco County has a tremendous level of potential supply and a ton of supply on the way near-term, but demand is massive and supply was stagnant for years. These conditions, combined with high incomes, mean new home prices are always high despite small home sizes and high densities. Over the last 12 months, new home prices have fluctuated wildly depending on what sold in any given month, but have centered just above $1,100,000. This compares to a new home median for 2014 of $1,038,000 (current is up 6 percent). Click to view a larger chart Market Color Supply Relief: By one account, there are over 1,300 condominiums under construction in San Francisco and over 4,000 new apartments. This alone will be a comparatively major increase in the city’s supply. There are also, however, another 6,750-plus condos and over 6,200 apartments either approved, under review, or in the conceptual stage, and thousands more units with a less certain status. Given the nature of high-density urban development, anything not being built could vanish overnight, but this is still a tremendous amount of supply. This activity represents a massive collective bet in the continued good fortune of San Francisco. Construction Begins at SF Transit Center: A new Transbay development will help revitalize public transit. Construction has started on a transit center just south of the Financial District. Plans call for the 1 million-square-foot facility to accommodate 100,000 passengers daily. The area encompassing the center will feature 4,400 new housing units, 1,200 of which will be at affordable pricing. Rents Continue to Surge: With affordability worsening in the for-sale sector, people are flocking to the rental market. The average rental price in the San Francisco MSA is currently $3,015, an increase of 9.2 percent year over year, and nearly double the average rent in 2004 of $1,594. BAY AREA DATA Review the Latest Bay Area Data & Stats Bay Area 10-Year Overview Here’s a look at home sales in the Bay Area’s real estate markets in the fourth quarter of 2015, with a glance back at the 10 preceding fourth quarters. Click here to see specific 10-year data on key cities in the Bay Area. LINKS Access to Valuable Information & Services Neighborhood Data Properties for Sale Pacific Union Blog Christie's Real Estate Joint Ventures To deliver the most comprehensive real estate services to our clients, Pacific Union has partnered with three outstanding companies, ensuring that we exceed our clients’ expectations throughout the entire purchasing cycle and beyond. Mindy Henderson Luxury Property Specialist 415.407.1522 mindy.henderson@pacunion.com 1699 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94109 © Pacific Union, 2016. License #01866771